What to look for on the test ride
KTMS haven’t always had the best reliability records but beyond the few upgrades, heat and comfort issues, owners of both 1190 Adventures report almost immaculate good health with their bikes, even with mileages well in excess of 50,000. Early examples without the starter upgrade can be difficult to fire up, particularly when cold and especially if it has a tired battery. On a ride, discomfort seems to affect some more than others and is difficult to assess in a short test ride but solutions are out there.
Some minor electrical and instrumentation/switchgear problems have also been reported, especially in the wet, so check everything works correctly. It’s also worth checking there’s no fluctuating at the brake lever when applied, indicating worn discs. Also, particularly on the R version, check accurate wheel rotation or sense for any wobbles on the move to rule out a bent wheel as there have been more than a few examples of warped wire rims. There have also been some reports of minor oil leaks from the crankcases.